Wheel cleaning device

Abstract

A wheel cleaning device formed with an elongated handle and projecting stem. A resilient pad on such stem formed with segments stepped down in transverse cross section toward the distal end of such stem.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A wheel cleaning device comprising: 
       an elongated handle having an elongated cruciform in cross section stem projecting from one end thereof to terminate in a distal end; and  
       an elongated contoured foam pad telescoped over said stem and including a plurality of stacked foam rings progressively increasing in diameter from said distal end toward said handle whereby a user may grasp said handle and insert said stem into an opening in a wheel to the extent where the diameter of one of said rings complements the cross section of said opening.  
     
     
       2. A wheel cleaning device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein: 
       said pad is formed with said rings configured with respective radially projecting ribs.  
     
     
       3. A wheel cleaning device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein: 
       said handle is constructed of blow molded plastic.  
     
     
       4. A wheel cleaning device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein: 
       said pad is constructed with said rings configured in discrete segments.  
     
     
       5. A wheel cleaning device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein: 
       said pad is formed with five said rings.  
     
     
       6. A wheel cleaning device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein: 
       said pad includes at its distal end a tubular foam lug nut cleaning ring.  
     
     
       7. A wheel cleaning device as set forth in  claim 6  wherein: 
       said lug nut cleaning ring is formed with a cylindrical interior socket.  
     
     
       8. A wheel cleaning device as set forth in  claim 6  wherein: 
       said lug nut cleaning ring is formed with an annular peripheral wall.  
     
     
       9. A wheel cleaning device as set forth in  claim 1  that includes: 
       a mechanical lock formed between said stem and pad.  
     
     
       10. A wheel cleaning device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein: 
       said pad is formed with said rings defining discrete sections, each having uniform transverse cross sections throughout their respective lengths.  
     
     
       11. A wheel cleaning device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein: 
       said rings are configured with a plurality of radially projecting, longitudinally elongated ribs spaced about the respective peripheries thereof.  
     
     
       12. A wheel cleaning device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein: 
       said pad is formed with said rings having generally corrugated peripheries to define eight equi-spaced radially projecting ribs.  
     
     
       13. A wheel cleaning device as set forth in  claim 12  wherein: 
       said pad is formed of die cut foam.  
     
     
       14. A wheel cleaning device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein: 
       said pad is configured with closed cell foam.  
     
     
       15. A wheel cleaning device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein: 
       said pad is formed of die cut foam.  
     
     
       16. A wheel cleaning device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein: 
       said pad is formed with said rings configured in discrete sections; and  
       said device includes a mechanical lock formed between the respective individual rings and said stem.  
     
     
       17. A wheel cleaning device comprising: 
       an elongated handle having an elongated cruciform in cross-section stem projecting from one end thereof to terminate in a distal end;  
       an elongated contoured foam pad telescoped over said stem and including a plurality of stacked foam rings progressively increasing in diameter from said distal end toward said handle whereby a user may grasp said handle and insert said stem into an opening in a wheel to the extent where the diameter of one of said rings complements the cross section of said opening; and  
       said stem being configured with four equally spaced ribs having free edges which taper distally and inwardly toward one another from said handle.  
     
     
       18. A wheel cleaning device comprising: 
       an elongated contoured cleaning pad configured with a relatively large cross sectional proximal portion and being formed with reduce in transverse cross section segments toward the distal end thereof for being progressively received in holes formed in a wheel to be cleaned; and  
       an elongated skeleton including an elongated handle having a cruciform in cross section stem projecting from the distal end thereof and penetrated longitudinally into said pad from a proximate end of said pad that defines the beginning of its proximal portion for supporting said pad for cleaning of said wheel.  
     
     
       19. A wheel cleaning device as set forth in  claim 18  wherein: 
       said pad is constructed of a plurality of cylindrically shaped discrete rings configured to form downwardly stepped diameters progressing towards the distal end of said stem.  
     
     
       20. A wheel cleaning device comprising: 
       an elongated contoured cleaning pad configured with a relatively large cross sectional proximal portion and being formed with reduced in transverse cross section segments toward the distal end thereof for being progressively received in holes formed in a wheel to be cleaned; and  
       an elongated skeleton including an elongated handle having a cruciform in cross section stem projecting from the distal end thereof and penetrated longitudinally into said pad from the a proximate end of said pad for supporting said pad for cleaning of said holes in said wheel.  
     
     
       21. A wheel cleaning device comprising: 
       an elongated handle formed at one end with an elongated stem projecting therefrom; and  
       a plurality of elongated cylindrically shaped stacked foam rings formed with radially outwardly projecting longitudinally extending ribs cooperating to form elongated distal crowns disposed on the circumference of a circle to selectively be engaged with the perimeter of openings in a wheel to flex and cooperate togther in accommodating the contour of such openings;  
       said rings being configured with said ribs cooperating to form longitudinal grooves and adjacent rings are rotated relative to one another such that the ribs of immediately adjacent rings register longitudinally with the grooves of the preceding ring.  
     
     
       22. A wheel cleaning device comprising: 
       an elongated handle formed at one end with a longitudinally projecting stem; and  
       at least four cylindrically shaped elongated foam pad rings mounted on said stem and configured with a proximal ring having a maximum diameter of substantially 2-½ inches with the diameters of each ring progressing distally having diameters of substantially 2-¼, 2 and 1-¾ inches.  
     
     
       23. The wheel cleaning device of  claim 22  wherein: 
       said rings are formed with longitudinal ribs spaced equidistance thereabout and formed therebetween with longitudinally projecting grooves.  
     
     
       24. A wheel cleaning device comprising: 
       an elongated handle formed at one end with an elongated cruciform in cross section stem projecting therefrom; and  
       a plurality of elongated cylindrically shaped stacked foam rings formed with radially outwardly projecting longitudinally extending ribs cooperating to form elongated distal crowns disposed on the circumference of a circle to selectively be engaged with the perimeter of openings in a wheel to flex and cooperate together in accommodating the contour of such openings.